U.S. citizen jailed for cocaine trafficking

A U.S. citizen was jailed for four years for trafficking cocaine by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Brianna Rodney, 25, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on June 3 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, she had in her possession for the purpose of trafficking 4.130 kilograms of cocaine.

The defendant, who was unrepresented in court, is a social worker who arrived on March 12 this year for her second visit to Guyana.
According to reports, she stayed at a hotel on Sheriff Street and made a number of new acquaintances. It was through one of her newfound acquaintances, Andre Gustov, 24, that the arrangement materialised for her to take the illegal substance to the U. S. for a fee that she would receive upon arrival.
While Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers at the airport were scanning the luggage during the process of Rodney checking in for departure, she was observed acting strangely.
As a result, she was summoned and made to claim her suitcase for which she was asked to supply the key.
The luggage was searched and the illegal substance was discovered concealed in six packets in the false bottom. Rodney was then told of the offence and arrested.
CANU Prosecutor Oswald Massiah told the court that the defendant voluntarily gave details of what transpired along with a signed witness statement.
Rodney stood before the magistrate and told a rapt courtroom that she was fully aware of the situation. She explained that an opportunity was presented to her and she decided to ‘go with it’. She then apologised to the court for her actions.
Rodney explained that she lives with her mom, grandmother, great grandmother, two brothers, and her sisters who are in college, and she and her mother are the only breadwinners for the family. She then reiterated her remorse.
The chief magistrate – taking into consideration the aggravated circumstances, the seriousness of the offence, the defendant’s remorse and the fact that she took responsibility for her actions– sentenced her to four years imprisonment and a fine of Gy$ 30,000.
The second defendant, Gustov, who is reportedly a Guyana Defence Force soldier who is Absent without Leave (AWOL), was charged separately for possession of the 4.130 kilos of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking when he appeared before the chief magistrate.
Gustov, of Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read.
Prosecutor Massiah stated that the defendant admitted to the offence in a statement. He was remanded to prison and his next court date is scheduled for July 15.